Workington ended a record sequence of six straight draws with an impressive performance to beat Ilkeston 4-1 at Borough Park.
They have had some outstanding draws in that time against top class sides, but for style and authority this was the stand-out display of the season.
It was a performance from Workington which went a long way to erasing the memory of a 6-1 defeat at Ilkeston early in the season.
The pleasing feature was the contribution of the young loanees in the Workington starting line-up – Sam Hetherington (Carlisle), Connor Pani (Gateshead) and Kitt Nelson (Preston).
All played major roles with 17-year-old Hetherington the mist eye-catching player on the field in the first-half – tackling with bite, using the ball with purpose and getting around the field in a busy, pro-active style.
Despite going a goal behind after only five minutes Workington dominated the game for long periods, producing some pleasing football which featured two new young arrivals.
Midfielder Hethering and centre-back Connor Pani, on loan respectively from Carlisle and Gateshead were both excellent on their first starts.
But Ilkeston must have thought they were in for another profitable afternoon against the Cumbrians when defender Luke Cox scored with a stooping header after the hosts hadn’t cleared a corner.
Dav Symington, so close to chipping keeper Matt Yates from his own half, scored the equaliser on 35 minutes with a typical low finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Steven Rigg, back from suspension, knocked in a low cross from Greg McCarragher on 55 minutes and Preston loanee Kitt Nelson fired in the third after 72 minutes.
Workington had been on top throughout the second half and they added a fourth in stoppage time when Blackpool loanee Dannen Francis was on hand to score from close range after more good work by Symington and McCarragher.
After their flying start Ilkeston had ran out of steam and never seriously tested home keeper Jim Atkinson in the second-half.
Cieran Casson had his most effective game of the season for Reds, turning the clock back to his first season under Grainger’s management.
Indeed there were excellent contributions throughout the side, setting them up nicely for the Boxing Day clash at bottom side Atherton Collieries.
The only downside was yet another injury to central defender Niall Brookwell who had to retire midway through the first half.
